Bullion prices were pounded Friday and that brought most metals further into the red for the week. April gold prices declined $26, or 1.6%, to $1,609.50 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Bullion was mostly lower this week. Palladium was the exception as it rallied to a 16-month high mid-week and, while it retreated on Thursday and Friday, gained 1.6% from a week ago. Falling for week were gold at 0.2%, silver at 1.6% and palladium at 0.7%.

Bullion prices mixed it up in January as gold dipped — due to a final day slump, while silver, palladium and platinum marked significant gains. Also, US Mint bullion coins grew to notch large January sales that were